Ukrainian national team secures 30 medals at 2025 Invictus Games in Canada

The Ukrainian national team achieved the second-best result in the country's history by winning 30 medals as the 2025 Invictus Games concluded in the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Whistler.

Suspilne reports this.

Ukraine was represented by the largest team in its history – 35 veterans and service members participated in the Invictus Games.

The Ministry of Veterans oversees the selection, training, and logistical arrangements for the Ukrainian national team in partnership with the Ukrainian Veterans Fund, the Center for Strategic Communications of Ukraine, the Center for Youth Initiatives, and the NGO Invictus Games Ukraine. These efforts are part of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.

During the seven days of the competition, Ukrainians won a total of 30 awards of various kinds:

• 12 gold medals,
• 11 silver,
• 7 bronze.

Specifically, the Ukrainians secured four medals in rowing, eight in swimming, one in sitting volleyball, and the remaining medals in winter sports, which were included in the Invictus Games program for the first time this year.

According to the source, this is the second-best indicator in Ukraine's history.

Ukrainians won more medals only in 2023 in Dusseldorf, Germany (34). In addition, the record for the number of gold medals, which was also set two years ago, was repeated.

In the overall medal standings, the Ukrainian national team took third place:

• the first place was taken by the USA (55),
• the second by Australia (36).

Ukraine achieved its highest medal count in swimming, securing eight awards, including most of its gold medals—five.

Ukraine's armed forces serviceman Ihor Oliynyk garnered the most medals, securing six awards—three gold and three silver—four of which were achieved in swimming events.

Also, Ukraine took the podium in the standing ski race (INO2 class). The Ukrainians then brought the first gold medal of the competition.

On Sunday, the Ukrainian national team at the Invictus Games in Canada won four silver medals in rowing on simulators. This is the last sports discipline in which medals were awarded at this year's Invictus Games.

The closing ceremony of the Invictus Games will be held today at the central sports arena in Vancouver. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other Canadian and foreign officials will attend.

It's important to note that the Invictus Games do not maintain an official medal tally, as the competition emphasizes the rehabilitation of injured participants over athletic accomplishments.

For reference:

It should be noted that the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games 2025, one of the largest international competitions among veterans and military personnel, took place in Vancouver, Canada.

As Rubryka wrote, as part of the mixed team Afghanistan Unconquered 3, Ukrainians Artur Mylin and Illia Pylypenko won "bronze" medals in wheelchair basketball. The athletes competed with the Colombian team.

The Ukrainian team, playing in this group, defeated the Colombian squad 12-6 in a match held immediately after the games' opening ceremony on February 9, 2025. However, they later faced Afghanistan Unconquered, losing 3-0.

The Invictus Games are international sports competitions among military personnel and veterans who have suffered injuries, wounds, or illnesses during or as a result of their duty. The British Prince Harry founded them.

The first Games were held in 2014 in London, and the Ukrainian team first participated in them in 2017.

This year, the first Winter Invictus Games were held in Canada from February 8 to 16. More than 550 wounded soldiers from 25 countries participated. The main squad of the Ukrainian national team includes 35 athletes, all of whom have served in the combat zone in the Russian-Ukrainian war since 2014.

At the Invictus Games in Canada, Prince Harry showed his support for the Ukrainian team by wearing the chevron of the 4th Operational Brigade "Rubizh" of the National Guard of Ukraine on his uniform.